Women actors in the region are increasingly taking on more powerful roles both on and off the screen. However, real industry transformation requires more female voices in scriptwriting, as highlighted by Arab actresses during a panel at the Bridge Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Egyptian actress and multidisciplinary artist Gihan El Shamashergy, known for her performances focusing on emotional authenticity and human connections, supported this view. She pointed out that many female roles are still written from a male perspective, creating a disconnect between lived experiences and their portrayal.
“Many female characters are created by men. The emotions on the page often differ from women’s real experiences,” she noted. “We need more female screenwriters to ensure emotions resonate with audiences accurately.”
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The Bridge Summit 2025, featuring El Shamashergy and Alraisi, is taking place at Abu Dhabi’s Adnec Centre. The event gathers global creators, filmmakers, media leaders, and investors to discuss representation, storytelling, and the evolving roles of women in the region.
She highlighted that stereotypes continue to constrain women on screen. “Often, the female character is merely the love interest or serves only to embellish the film,” she remarked. “We seek roles that truly represent us, not those that diminish us.”
El Shamashergy also observed that each era brings its own challenges. “Every generation has its narrative. Today’s women face unique challenges compared to those 50 years ago, and this should be reflected in films.”
Adding to the discussion, Omani actress and TV personality Buthaina Alraisi shared her perspective, acknowledging progress in the portrayal of women in Gulf dramas and across the Arab world. Yet, she emphasized that this progress must be accompanied by better opportunities for actors.
“This year, I didn’t accept any roles,” she shared. “I received numerous offers, but none resonated with me. The options aren’t at the level we aspire to. We need stronger writing and more diverse roles for women.”
Alraisi acknowledged the rise of female writers but noted that scripts are still dominated by stereotypical female characters. She emphasized that platforms like the Bridge Summit provide actors with the opportunity to directly communicate with producers and decision-makers about the necessity for improved storytelling.
“We are pleased with the progress,” she stated. “Now, we aim to advance further.”
